At the beginning of program year 2023, the Grayson County 4-H Agent started a new program called Exploring 4-H and Leadership Enrichment. The idea for the program spurred from the multi-county Teen Leadership Academy that they participated in prior to Covid-19 halting programs. In an effort to boost teen participation and recruit new teen members, the agent opened participation age to local middle school and high school aged students (6^th grade through 12^th grade). The purpose of the program is not only to increase youth's knowledge of the seven core areas within 4-H but to build leadership skills and confidence to assist the agent in a variety of ways throughout the year.

Thirteen youth applied for the program that began in September and will run through April, each month focusing on a core area; beginning with “All things 4-H and Extension” where they learned more about 4-H overall, the history and about Cooperative Extension and all it entails. They have had Agriculture focus- dissecting cow eyeballs, DNA extractions, learning more about agriculture in our county, and making cheese; FCS focus- working through a condensed version of Reality Store, table setting and etiquette, preparing their own lunch, cupcake decorating and the art of charcuterie boards. Health focus- utilized the "Centering on Me" curriculum and making smoothies. SET focus- worked in several of the past years NYSD activities, SNAP circuit kits, and built and launched rockets. Communications/Expressive Arts- spent the day working with various art mediums.

This group had the opportunity to participate (optionally) in the W5/W6 Area 4-H Teen Outing in December, five from the group chose to participate and met teens from the nine-county grouping. Many of the teens they met will be peers they will see and encounter in additional state events such as 4-H Summit and Teen Conference. Additionally, since the FCS focus day, a parent reached out to the agent sharing a “Yes!” moment, where her son that participates put together a charcuterie board for their family Christmas gathering.